Dean Ralph Brett
Helping You with All Your Legal Needs
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Dean Ralph Brett
Biography
I grew up on Badger Mountain, in Eastern Washington, on a dry land dirt farm in an area the locals refer to as "Poverty Point." No TV. No electricity. No inside plumbing. But we did have books -- lots of books. I talked before I could walk, and carried a book everywhere, so my dad used to pat me on the head and say "This one's going to be a lawyer." He knew what kind of a lawyer I would be: a lawyer for real people, not a lawyer for big corporations -- a lawyer for the little guy with a big case.
The administrators at Whitman College couldn't understand how a kid from Poverty Point could score so well on the college entrance exams, so they offered me a scholarship. Moving to Whitman in Walla Walla was a move to a bigger town for me, and like many kids my age, I wanted to move to an even bigger city. That took me to Stanford Law School near San Francisco, where most of my graduating class went on to large firms in New York, L.A., Seattle, or D.C. But by then I had realized I wanted to move back to the Pacific Northwest.
As an injury lawyer I started out in 1972 doing whatever came in the door, mostly trial work, and soon found that helping people who had been injured through no fault of their own and who were stuck dealing with a heartless insurance company was the perfect place to accomplish my three goals in life: to do good, to do well, and to have fun doing it.
My family has a long history in horse racing -- my Uncle Lloyd raced as a jockey for 25 years. You build a law practice just like you build a career as a jockey. At first you get only horses no one else wants to ride. If you can get a few of those horses to finish better than next to last, you get a mount that has a chance to finish in the money. And if you can ride a few of those horses into Win, Place or Show, eventually stables with fast horses looking for successful jockeys find you. So it has been with my personal injury law practice: good results in small personal injury cases brought larger claims, and eventually, after winning a few million dollar settlements and verdicts, I got the opportunity to choose exactly who I wanted to represent.
Ironically, it turned out to be the same people my dad thought I should fight for: the little guy with the big case. Real people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and get injured because someone isn't being careful -- and who are stuck dealing with an insurance company that refuses to honor their injury claim.
If you'd like to talk to me about your personal injury claim, give me a call - (800) 925-1875.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Fees
- Free Consultation
- Contingent Fees
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Languages
Professional Experience
Partner Brett & Daugert
Year: 1972 - 2007
Description:
Partner Brett Murphy - Washington's Injury Lawyers
Year: 2011 - 2014
Description:
Magistrate Judge United States District Court for Western District of Washington
Year: 2005 - Current
Description:
Partner Brett & Coats Personal Injury Attorneys
Year: 2007 - 2011
Description:
Partner Brett McCandlis & Brown PLLC
Year: 2015 - Current
Description:
Professional Associations
Washington State Association for Justice Eagle Member (Current)
Association of Trial Lawyers of America Member (Current)
Oregon State Bar Member (2008 - Current)
American College of Trial Lawyers Fellow (2002 - Current)
Washington State Bar Association Local District Counsel (1980 - Current)
Washington State Bar  # 4676 Member (1972 - Current)
Whatcom County Bar Association President (1985 - 1985)
Awards
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2006.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2015.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2014.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2008.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2004.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2003.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2007.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2009.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2005.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2011.0
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Washington Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers 2012.0
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Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers 2013.0
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Washington Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers 2013.0
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Washington Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers 2010.0
Education
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Whitman College B.A.
Year: 1964 - 1968
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Stanford University J.D.
Year: 1970 - 1972
Websites
http://washingtoninjury.com
Brett McCandlis & Brown PLLC
http://washingtonwrongfuldeathlaw.com/
Brett McCandlis & Brown - Washington's Wrongful Death Attorneys
Brett McCandlis & Brown
1310 10th Street, Suite 104, Bellingham, WA 98225
(866) 437-0623
Brett McCandlis & Brown
4400 NE 77th Ave., Suite 275, Vancouver, WA 98662
(866) 437-0623
Brett McCandlis & Brown
1001 4th Ave., Suite 3200, Seattle, WA 98154
(866) 437-0623